International Web Lecture Series in Tourism and Hospitality Launched

 Lecture: 1 - Manage Fire Under Ice: Approach of Travel agencies approach to face Business Cliff

International Web Lecture Series in Tourism and Hospitality was launched with first lecture titled “Manage Fire under Ice: Approach of Travel agencies approach to face business cliff” delivered by Prof. Parikshat Singh Manhas, University of Jammu and Prof. Wu, Richard Jih-Wen, National Kaohsiung Polytechnic University, Taiwan, Republic of China on 22^nd April 20 using the Virtual Cloud Meeting software Zoom. This “International Web Lecture Series in Tourism and Hospitality” an initiative taken by Prof. Parikshat Singh Manhas, University of Jammu along with Dr Ramjit, Deptt of Tourism Studies, Central University of Kashmir and Mr Nikhil Singh Chark, Assistant Professor, Ambedkar University, New Delhi, India.

To begin with, Nikhil Singh Charka welcomed to all the participants to this maiden lecture of International Web lecture Series held on April 22^nd 2020. He briefed the participants about the  experts - Prof. Parikshat Singh & Prof Wu, Richard Jih-Wen and Dr Ramjit.  Prof. Manhas in his opening remarks, apprised the participants about this international lecture series and how it shall be discussing realistic issues and challenges relevant to the Travel & Tourism industry.  He admitted that the COVID 19 has hit the economy in very aspects and also throw some light on common challenges faced by the Global economy and asserted that what could be done in innovative way to get over this ongoing crisis or recession.

During his lecture Prof. Parikshat Singh Manhas suggested and highlighted the concept of liquidity to recover the losses during and post COVID 19 for the tourism and hospitality Business. He stated that this is the best time to think about the future strategies to cope up the common challenges faced by the travel and tourism industry. He provided a road map towards identification and development of the strategies concerning ongoing pandemic crisis and post-covod-19.  He provided a road map for various businesses based on which they could move from  initially trying to minimise the Business losses to No losses and then moving towards the profits after certain period of time. He also talked about various possible trends that may be seen in near future like concept of Quarantine Hotels and urged the audience to think about the innovation strategies to build or rebuild the customer base and to cope up with losses during this pandemic and crisis.

Prof Richard, started his lecture by mentioning the web page of WTO website that reflecting a message “Stay at Home”. He commented that where all the countries had closed their borders and even not allowed to move inter or intra region of the country. During this time the tourism and travel business is facing a crisis like situation and there are worries about the business cliff fall. In his presentation, He deliberated upon the various points in detail as travel agencies has to work upon and while stay calm and decisive on the six important aspects like Finance control, Management change, Strategic Thinking, Forecasting, Public sector and Learning. He suggested to utilise the present time by staying calm ones should put all the serious efforts to have good financial control during this period. The companied may consider the concept of CSR VS CSR and Human Cost vs Cost cut by offering fifty percent salaries for work from home during this pandemic and of course hundred percent after recover from the crisis.

He also insisted upon think strategically by think big, deep and think for the present time and come up with the innovative ideas and mentioned about strategic planning during the pandemic. Further added that strategic planning provides a helicopter view to cope up the common challenge which have been facing by travel agencies since November 2019.  Prof. Richard also highlighted the blessing of the Technology for any travel agencies business by quoting an example “earning profits even during the slack seasons and facing losses even during peaks seasons” added that the technology may effects to the travel agencies business either way therefore this should be used appropriately to build confidence among the tourists/travellers. The students from across the countries and from Taiwan put forth the questions pertaining to topics and the same were well addressed in detailed precisely by the both the experts. After detailed discussions, Dr Ramjit, Coordinator, International Web Lecture Series in his concluding remarks highlighted the importance of virtual or web lecture series especially during COVID-19 pandemic and  added few points like virtual collaborations and joint initiatives and brain storm sessions over webinars may help to TMCs , the students and business community to cope up this challenge i.e. COVID-19. In the end, He conveyed sincere gratitude to all the experts and students from the various institutions across India and Taiwan. Republic of China for their active participation in the web lecture and wish them stay safe, healthy and active during COVID-19 pandemic. About 100 students from various institutions like University of Jammu, Central University of Jammu, Ambedkar University, Delhi, Panjab Technical University, Bathinda, National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism, Taiwan attended this lecture.

Web Lecture Series, Coordinators

Dr. Ramjit, Coordinator & Sr, Assistant Professor & Deptt. of Tourism Studies, Central University of Kashmir, India

Mr Nikhil Singh Charak, Assistant Professor, Deptt of Vocational Studies, Ambedkar University, India